**SPOILERS** All the critical acclaim and other opinions, okay. I'm just gonna add my two cents because I think this is one terrific little western. It isn't all hazed up with dark, political motives, just good guys and bad guys. Let me get something off my chest, here. The OTHER movie of the same name? THAT'S the stupid one, as a matter of fact, I'm surprised that they didn't have the transformers (or maybe Batman), doing battle right along with all the other super gunfighters.
In THIS H.B.O. movie, the story is a lot more down to earth. Given that ALL westerns are fantasy, and are for entertainment I think that we have to look at just a couple items. The actors- you have to be able to find an identity for each one of them; Done, and Done. The scenery, is it sufficiently "western"? Yup, (more on this later). Dialogue? A small problem; too late twentieth century in places. Story? Good. Direction, Pretty darn good.
Just a couple of points... These things are prevalent in almost all westerns, and it's a P.O. Why, oh why, did Valion leave Dobbs' gunbelt, horse and gear? It's is his by right of booty. Plus, you DO NOT leave a horse saddled and tied up. If you're not gonna take it, unload it and set it free. You won't be doing it any favors, though; it's a domesticated animal, and needs to be taken care of. Same thing for Ute's pony and gear.
Another reviewer mentioned the fact that the relationship between Valion and the Ute (both are half-breeds) should have been explored. I agree. It would have taken a minute of dialogue or less to explain the fact that They were half-brothers, don't you think? Possibility - calling The Ute by name right before he killed him. Another "He led a raid on a Blackfoot village, killed a lot of women and children; including our mother". Oh, well...
How about this relevant issue? there is an outbuilding in Bender's Flats, so it MIGHT have been an outhouse, and once they left the area, they were doing their business in mother nature, but, Susannah's brother not putting up a privy? Inhuman.
Back to the scenery. When I first saw this movie on H.B.O., I was struck by how beautiful the surroundings were in Cinematography. I've owned a couple copies of this movie in VHS and DVD, and in High Def, it is striking to say the least. One of my favorite Westerns, and I recommend it for all who want an uncomplicated story that's entertaining and very well done on all points.
In THIS H.B.O. movie, the story is a lot more down to earth. Given that ALL westerns are fantasy, and are for entertainment I think that we have to look at just a couple items. The actors- you have to be able to find an identity for each one of them; Done, and Done. The scenery, is it sufficiently "western"? Yup, (more on this later). Dialogue? A small problem; too late twentieth century in places. Story? Good. Direction, Pretty darn good.
Just a couple of points... These things are prevalent in almost all westerns, and it's a P.O. Why, oh why, did Valion leave Dobbs' gunbelt, horse and gear? It's is his by right of booty. Plus, you DO NOT leave a horse saddled and tied up. If you're not gonna take it, unload it and set it free. You won't be doing it any favors, though; it's a domesticated animal, and needs to be taken care of. Same thing for Ute's pony and gear.
Another reviewer mentioned the fact that the relationship between Valion and the Ute (both are half-breeds) should have been explored. I agree. It would have taken a minute of dialogue or less to explain the fact that They were half-brothers, don't you think? Possibility - calling The Ute by name right before he killed him. Another "He led a raid on a Blackfoot village, killed a lot of women and children; including our mother". Oh, well...
How about this relevant issue? there is an outbuilding in Bender's Flats, so it MIGHT have been an outhouse, and once they left the area, they were doing their business in mother nature, but, Susannah's brother not putting up a privy? Inhuman.
Back to the scenery. When I first saw this movie on H.B.O., I was struck by how beautiful the surroundings were in Cinematography. I've owned a couple copies of this movie in VHS and DVD, and in High Def, it is striking to say the least. One of my favorite Westerns, and I recommend it for all who want an uncomplicated story that's entertaining and very well done on all points.